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DPA reports fewer complaints in January and details recommended discipline
Summary
The Department of Police Accountability told the Commission that complaints and mediations were down in January 2017 compared with 2016 and summarized recommended disciplinary outcomes, including written reprimands and a recommended one-day suspension in one case.
Joyce Hicks, director of the Department of Police Accountability, presented January 2017 statistics and disciplinary recommendations to the Police Commission on Feb. 8. Hicks said the Office of Citizen Complaints mediated one case in January 2017 compared with nine in January 2016 and that overall complaint filings have declined from prior years.
Hicks outlined several disciplinary actions resulting from Office of Citizen Complaints findings: nine OCC cases decided by chiefs in January, with four sustained for neglect of duty (failure to collect traffic stop data), a written reprimand in one case, and no discipline in three first-violation cases beyond admonishments. One case involving neglect of duty (a LEP-related matter with evidence-collection issues) prompted Hicks to recommend a one-day suspension because the district chief had issued only a written reprimand; in other matters Hicks recommended written reprimands for failure to issue a certificate of release and for failing to document a reportable use of force.
Hicks said some cases required follow-up discussions with the chief and that mediation staffing was limited recently because the mediation and outreach coordinator was on unexpected leave; DPA attorney Inez Vargas Frankel is filling that gap in the interim. Commissioners asked for clarification on long-term complaint trends and possible reasons for lower filings (training, recruitment, or public willingness to file). Hicks said she could not conclusively identify a single cause.
Commissioners reiterated the importance of clear reporting and oversight for use-of-force incidents and asked the chief to ensure officers understand reporting obligations; Chief Scott acknowledged the concern and said the department would address training and reporting practices.
The Commission took questions but did not take a formal vote on DPA recommendations during the meeting; Hicks said a fuller third-quarter report and DPA budget discussion would come on March 1.
